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Aussie woman spent $32,000 to wear a bikini

'I felt so beautiful in it!'

Brittany Brown, 28, from Hobart, felt trapped in her body and wanted a change

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Stepping off the scales, I closed my eyes in despair, wanting to forget what I’d just seen. Have I really put on 30 kilos? I thought miserably.

Aged 20, I was a size 24 and the heaviest I’d ever been – 120 kilos. After leaving for university, I’d got stuck in a vicious cycle of binge-eating takeaway food.

Not having time or the cash for home-cooked meals meant I’d fallen victim to the convenience of Macca’s, KFC and greasy Chinese food. I knew I’d gained some extra padding – but I didn’t think it was that bad.

Upset, I turned to food to make me feel better. Not wanting my friends to know the truth, I’d eat dainty portions in front of them.

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Then, late at night, I’d get stuck into chocolate, ice-cream, bread and cheese, polishing off around 5000 calories in one sitting. Sometimes, I’d even sneak it in my car before going inside so no-one would see me.

Horrified, the next day I’d punish myself by barely eating a thing and trying to work it all off with three-hour gym sessions.

I felt unattractive and imprisoned in a body I hated.

Brittant Brown before
I got caught in a cycle of binge eating (Credit: Brittany Brown/Supplied)
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Brittany Brown wanted to make a change
I wanted to make a change (Credit: Brittany Brown/Supplied)

Fed up, I visited my family GP and asked her to refer me for lap-band surgery. ‘I’m sick of being fat,’ I  admitted.

After the surgery, I did lose around 35 kilos. But it made me sick, so I  had it deflated and piled it all back on again. 

Finally having the lap-band removed, my weight ballooned to over 120 kilos and I barely fitted into the biggest size at the clothes shop. At age 26, I went back to my doctor.

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‘I think I need a gastric sleeve,’ I said. It was extreme – it meant part of my stomach would be removed. But I’d researched the operation to the ends of the earth and knew it was what I wanted.

Only telling close family I  was going in for surgery, I  went on a shake meal plan to prep my body. ‘I wish diets or work-outs would work for me, but they just don’t,’ I told everyone.

‘We support you no matter what,’ my mum Paula said.

The day before surgery I was weighed and found I’d got my weight down to 113 kilos. Two weeks after surgery, I was 105 kilos.

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Brittany Brown had loose skin
I hadn’t realised I’d have so much loose skin (Credit: Brittany Brown/Supplied)

With the kilos dropping, I excitedly shopped for new clothes to fit my shrinking frame. The scales turned from my enemy to a friend as I watched the numbers fall.

‘You look so much happier,’ friends and family told me.

Eating a low-carb, high-protein diet, I was down to a svelte 68 kilos within 18 months. While I felt incredible, there was one problem. Losing 52 kilos so quickly meant I had a lot of loose, saggy skin.

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I even had to tuck the doughy flesh into my new clothes. It meant I lacked confidence to show off my new body. I didn’t realise loose skin would be such a huge consequence of dropping weight fast. 

A year after my op, I went to a plastic surgeon and showed him the excess skin on my stomach and arms. ‘You’ll need a breast lift, an arm lift and a 360-degree tummy tuck,’ he explained.

All up, it was going to cost a staggering $22,000! I’d already dipped into my super for the $10,000 gastric sleeve surgery, so I couldn’t pay for it myself.

Brittany Brown
I was thrilled with the results (Credit: Brittany Brown/Supplied)
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Brittany Brown in a bikini
I loved feeling happy in a bikini (Credit: Brittany Brown/Supplied)

Luckily, my incredible mum was willing to help me out. ‘You’ve worked so hard, you deserve this,’ she told me.

So, over three separate operations, I had 1.5 kilos of skin removed from my stomach and another kilo from my breasts and arms. Afterwards, I felt like a whole new woman!

My body had finally transformed into the figure I’d always dreamt of.

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 Once the scars healed, I wanted to celebrate properly. It was a beautiful, sunny day so I bought a tiny bikini and headed to the beach.

I’m finally free! I thought.

It was the first time I’d ever worn a two-piece swimsuit – and I felt so beautiful in it! I’ve even found love with my amazing boyfriend,  Sean, 30.

Ten months on, I’ve maintained a healthy weight  and sculpted my body with HIIT workouts at an F45 gym.

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My relationship with food has changed dramatically too.

I still indulge myself every so often with a cookie, but I haven’t had a binge session since my weight loss.

Now, at a fit 73 kilos and a size 12, my focus is on sustaining an active lifestyle and practising mindful eating. 

I wish I didn’t wait so long to live the life I wanted. I was trapped, but now I’m finally free.

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Brittany Brown and boyfriend Sean
I’ve found love with my boyfriend Sean (Credit: Brittany Brown/Supplied)

Brittany’s diet

Before

BREAKFAST: Bacon and eggs

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LUNCH: KFC or Macca’s

SNACK: Ice-cream, chocolate

DINNER: KFC, Macca’s or Chinese food

After

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BREAKFAST: Yoghurt and fruit

LUNCH: Tuna, avocado and rice

SNACK: Protein bar

DINNER: Taco bowl, meat and veg or homemade pizza

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